Roller cable guard

ABSTRACT

In certain embodiments, an archery bow comprises an archery bow body defining opposing limb tips having rotational elements and a bowstring extending between the limb tips. At least one cable portion extends between the limb tips. A cable guard extends from the archery body bow body and a pair of pulleys are rotationally mounted to the cable guard wherein the pair of pulleys retain the at least one cable between them and are vertically offset from each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to archery bows and more particularly pertains to a cable guard for use with and mounted to archery bows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain archery bows, such as compound bows, store energy by a cable arrangement involving a bowstring, rotational elements and additional cable portions extending between the respective ends of the bow. In certain arrangements, cable guards are used to engage the cable arrangements to provide clearance, assisting the bowstring and arrow to be drawn and released without interference from other cable portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single cam bow in an undrawn position incorporating a roller guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view of the bow of FIG. 1 in a drawn position.

FIG. 3 is a view of the bow of FIG. 1 with an alternate embodiment of a roller guard.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a two cam bow incorporating a roller guard according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the roller guard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the roller guard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of the roller guard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the roller guard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the roller arrangement of the roller guard of FIG. 5.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Archery bow arrangements according to certain preferred embodiments described herein include an archery bow body defining opposing limb tips and a bowstring extending between the limb tips. At least one cable portion extends between the limb tips and a cable guard extends from the archery body bow body. A pair of pulleys are rotationally mounted to the cable guard in which the pair of pulleys in combination encircle at least 360 degrees of the circumference of the at least one cable.

In certain embodiments, an archery bow comprises an archery bow body defining opposing limb tips having rotational elements and a bowstring extending between the limb tips. At least one cable portion extends between the limb tips. A cable guard extends from the archery body bow body and a pair of pulleys are rotationally mounted to the cable guard wherein the pair of pulleys retain the at least one cable between them and are vertically offset from each other.

In a further embodiment, an archery bow contains an archery bow body defining opposing limb tips and a bowstring which extends between the limb tips. Further, the archery bow includes at least one cable portion which extends between the limb tips and a cable guard which extends from the archery body bow body. A pair of pulleys are rotationally mounted to the cable guard and retain at least one cable between them. Each pulley defines an outer radius and the pair of pulleys are mounted horizontally offset from each other by a distance less than the sum of their respective outer radii.

Certain embodiments of a cable guard for an archery body include a cable guard arm having a forward end mountable to the riser of an archery bow and an opposing rearward end. A pair of forward pulleys are mounted along the length of the cable guard arm and a pair of rearward pulleys are spatially separated from the pair of forward pulleys. The rearward pulleys are mounted to the cable guard arm rearward of the forward pulleys and vertically offset from the forward pulleys.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by references to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the principles being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate examples of a conventional single cam compound archery bow generally designated as 10 or 10′. When viewed from the perspective of an archer holding the bow, it includes a riser 11 with a handle, an upper limb portion 12 and a lower limb portion 14. In the single cam example illustrated, rotational members such as idler wheel 16 and eccentric cam 18 are supported at the limb tip sections for rotary movement about axles 20 and 22. In the embodiment shown, upper and lower limbs are formed of parallel and symmetric limb portions sometimes called quad limbs. Alternately, a single piece limb can have a notch or slot area removed to allow a rotational element to be mounted to the limb tips. An upper pulley axle 20 is carried between the outer limb tip portions of upper limb 12. A lower pulley axle 22 is carried between the outer limb tip portions of lower limb 14.

The portion of the cable which defines the bowstring cable 34 includes an upper portion 28 and a lower end portion 30 which are fed-out from idler wheel 16 and cam 18 when the bow is drawn. The upper end portion 28 is part of a longer cable which has a medial portion mounted around idler wheel 16 with the ends mounted to cam 18. The non-bowstring portion of the cable extending from wheel 16 to cam 18 can be referred to as the return cable portion 35. Additionally, a y-yoke anchor cable 32 has a lower end mounted to cam 18 which extends to two upper ends mounted adjacent opposing ends of axle 20. Each cable has a thickness and a round cross-section defining a circumference. From the perspective of the archer, the bowstring is considered rearward relative to the riser which defines forward.

When the bowstring 34 is drawn, it causes idler wheel 16 and cam 18 at each end of the bow to rotate, feeding out cable and bending limb portions 12 and 14 inward, causing energy to be stored therein. When the bowstring 34 is released with an arrow engaged to the bowstring, the limb portions 12 and 14 return to their rest position, causing idler wheel 16 and cam 18 to rotate in the opposite direction, to take up the bowstring 34 and launch the arrow with an amount of energy proportional to the energy initially stored in the bow limbs. Bow 10 is described for illustration and context and is not intended to be limiting.

Certain embodiments can also be used with dual or two cam compound bows. An example two cam bow 10′ is illustrated in FIG. 4. Bow 10′ includes a similar riser 11 with a handle, upper limb portions 12 and lower limb portions 14. In two cam bow 10′, rotational members such as an upper eccentric cam 16′ and a lower eccentric cam 18′ are supported at the limb tip sections for rotary movement about axles 20 and 22. Bowstring cable 34′ includes an upper end 28′ mounted to and fed-out from upper cam 16′ and a lower end 30′ mounted to and fed-out from lower cam 18′ when the bow is drawn. A return cable portion 35′ has an upper end mounted to upper cam 16′ and a lower end mounted to lower cam 18′, with the lower end fed-out from cam 18′ and the upper end of cable 35′ wrapped or taken in to cam 16′ as the bow is drawn. Additionally, a y-yoke anchor cable 32′ has a lower end mounted to cam 18′ and two upper ends mounted to axle 20 of upper cam 16′. The lower end is taken in to cam 18′ as the bow is drawn. References herein to a bowstring or cable portion extending to the limb tips are intended to broadly include a cable portion wrapped around or mounted to a track of a rotational element or an attachment to an axle mounted at the limb tips.

The present disclosure can also be used in other types of bows, for example hybrid cam bows or crossbows, which are considered conventional for purposes of the present invention. For convenience, the combination of riser 11 and either single or quad limbs forming upper limb 12 and lower limb 14 may generally be referred to as archery bow body 15. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the archery bow body can take on various designs in accordance with the many different types of bows with which the present invention can be used.

In the illustrated embodiments, a cable guard 110 or 110′, as seen in FIGS. 1-9, extends rearward from the bow body 15, typically from the riser 11. The cable guard generally engages one or more cable portions and retains them laterally from the plane which includes the bowstring and arrow, thus providing clearance, assisting the bowstring and arrow to be drawn and released without interference from the cable portions.

Cable guard 110 as more clearly seen in FIGS. 5-6, includes an arm portion 120 having a forward end portion 122 mounted or mountable to the bow body 15 and a rearward end portion 124. In the example illustrated, forward end portion 122 includes two openings 123 which can interact with fasteners to rigidly mount cable guard 110 to the bow body. Forward end 122 may have various profiles as desired for a preferred mounting arrangement, for example using a taper profile as illustrated or simply having a rectangular profile. A central portion 121 extending along the primary length of arm portion may optionally be cut out or have a truss structure with cut-out portions to remove mass. Preferably arm portion 120 has a rigid structure. The rearward end 124 of arm portion may include openings 125 to which roller or pulley arrangements can be mounted for example with suitable bolts and washers.

In certain embodiments, a roller arrangement 130, illustrated in detail in FIGS. 7-9, is mounted adjacent rearward end portion 124. In the illustrated embodiment, at least a rearward pulley 132 and preferably a pair of rearward pulleys 132 and 132′ are arranged rearward yet adjacent to at least one forward pulley 136 and preferably a pair of forward pulleys 136 and 136′. The pulleys can also be characterized as arranged in pairs with facing peripheries, with an outer pair formed of rearward pulley 132 facing forward pulley 136 and an inner pair with rearward pulley 132′ facing forward pulley 136′. Preferably each pulley is rotationally mounted, for example on an axle 140 mounted to an opening 125. Also preferably, the forward pulleys are spatially separated from and do not touch the respective facing rearward pulleys.

Typically each pulley defines a peripheral track or groove sized to receive and at least partially encircle a cable portion. For example, rearward pulley includes a groove defined by sidewalls 133 extending from an inner groove radius 134, and forward pulley includes a groove defined by sidewalls 137 extending from an inner groove radius 138. Inner pulleys 132′ and 136′ have similar structure. Preferably the sidewalls 133 and 137 of pulleys 132 and 136 each define an outer radius R₁ and R₂, and the inner grooves 134 and 138 each define an inner radius G₁ and G₂.

In alternate arrangements, the roller arrangement may include alternate elements to the illustrated pulleys. Examples of such rolling elements include one or more rolling bars or a roller formed with a groove having concave or convex sidewalls. In further, less preferred embodiments, the arrangement may use non-rolling elements which engage the cable portions as disclosed herein, which allow the cable portions to linearly slide relative to the element in non-rolling movement.

Portions of the cable arrangements, for example the anchor cable and the return cable portions preferably pass between the inner and outer pairs of pulleys. The cables may travel vertically or linearly through the roller arrangement, yet are retained laterally to be held out of the way of the arrow and bowstring during a release of an arrow.

In certain embodiments, the sidewalls and groove of each pulley define a horizontal cross-section which at least partially encircle a portion of the circumference of a cable portion, which encirclement may be less than or more than 180 degrees. In certain preferred embodiments, the cable portion is within the pulley groove with the sidewalls extending past the largest diameter of the cable, in effect encircling the cable circumference by at least 180 degrees. In certain embodiments, the pulleys are arranged so that the inner pair of pulleys in combination encircle at least 360 degrees of the circumference of one cable portion and the outer pair of pulleys in combination encircle at least 360 degrees of one cable portion, thereby retaining the cable portions between the paired pulleys. In alternate combinations, one pulley may encircle more than 180 degrees of a cable portion while a paired pulley or another component encircles less than 180 degrees, yet the combination retains the cable portion between the paired pulleys.

In certain embodiments of the roller arrangement, the forward pulley or pulleys are horizontally offset and vertically offset from the rearward pulley or pulleys. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the pivot axes of rearward pulleys 132 and 132′ are offset horizontally rearwardly by distance w and offset vertically upward by distance h relative to the pivot axes of forward pulleys 136 and 136′. In this arrangement, when the larger radii R₁ and R₂ are measured along a line intersecting both pivot axes they preferably do not touch, yet when radii R₁ and R₂ are measured horizontally, i.e. along parallel horizontal lines, the radii horizontally overlap. Stated in another manner, in this arrangement the horizontal offset distance w is less than the sum of R₁ plus R₂.

In certain embodiments, the rearward pair of pulleys may be vertically offset upward relative to the forward pair of pulleys, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. In alternate embodiments, cable guard 110′ has a rearward pair of pulleys vertically offset downward relative to the forward pair of pulleys, as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The structure of cable guard 110′ is otherwise similar to the structure of cable guard 110.

In certain embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a bend area 123 of arm 120 separates the central portion 121 from the rearward end portion 124. In the illustrated embodiment, bend area 123 has a slight “S” profile and is arranged to support the horizontal axis of pulley arrangement 130 at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of arm 120 measured along central portion 121. In certain of these embodiments, the rearward end portion 124 is bent towards the plane in which the bowstring travels when drawn and released, thus placing the rearward pair of pulleys 132 and 132′ slightly closer to the plane than the forward pair of pulleys 136 and 136′. The illustrated embodiment is shown from the perspective of a left-handed bow having a handle held with an archer's left hand. The geometry may be arranged substantially in a mirror image for a right-handed bow.

In certain embodiments, a portion of the anchor cable, such as anchor cable 32 in a single cam arrangement, is retained between the outer facing pair of pulleys 132 and 136, while a cable portion, such as a return cable extending between the upper and lower rotational elements, is retained between the inner facing pair of pulleys 132′ and 136′. Each pair of pulleys provides bearing surfaces which form a bend point for the respective cable portion retained in the pair of pulleys. In a brace or undrawn position, the cables each form a brace angle θ₁ and α₁ measured between the portions extending towards the opposing limb tips from the cable bend point. As the bowstring and bowstring are moved to a drawn position, the limb tips will correspondingly move horizontally and vertically along an arcuate path and the rotational elements in the limb tips will pivot. The combined movement of the limb tips and pivoting of the rotational elements will cause the respective retained cables to move linearly through the respective cable pairs and will also change the angular orientation of cable angles to drawn angles θ₂ and α₂ measured between the portions extending towards the respective limb tips from the cable bend point.

In certain embodiments, the retained cable portions are encircled by and contact the groove portions and inner radii G₁ and G₂ of both the inner pair of pulleys or both the outer pair of pulleys in a brace position and remain in contact with the groove portions of a respective rearward and forward pulley pair during the draw and release cycle. In alternate embodiments, the retained cable portions each contact the groove portion of a forward one of the inner pair of pulleys or the outer pair of pulleys in a brace position and move to contact the groove portions of the respective rearward pulleys during the draw. Depending on the embodiment and component orientations, if a cable portion moves to contact a rearward pulley during a draw cycle, it may or may not simultaneously remain in contact with a forward pulley. The contact may occur, for example, by a cable portion being translated rearward from a forward pulley and towards a rearward pulley or contact may occur when the cable angle changes.

In certain embodiments, one or both retained cable portions are arranged to apply a substantially lateral force against a respective forward pulley when the bow is in the brace position. The movement of the bow and/or change in cable angle causes the magnitude of the force applied against the respective forward pulley to decline as the bow is pulled to a drawn position. Correspondingly, the movement of the bow and/or change in cable angle causes force to be applied and to increase in magnitude against the respective paired rearward pulley as the bow is pulled to a drawn position. The decrease and increase of the magnitudes of the respective forces may or may not be accompanied by physical movement of the cable portions which may, for example, remain in contact with a forward and rearward pulley continuously through the brace and draw cycle. Preferably, the majority of the lateral force is transferred from one to the other of the pair of pulleys as the bow is moved to the drawn position.

In further alternate embodiments, the cable guard and roller arrangement 130 retains the cable portions laterally from the plane which includes the bowstring and arrow, yet roller arrangement 130 travels and/or is displaceable along the roller guard arm. In one example, the roller arrangement is mounted as or to a sliding arrangement which can translate along a primarily forward-rearward aligned slot, groove or edge defined by the roller guard arm. In certain of these embodiments, the roller arrangement slides or uses a rolling arrangement to translate forward or rearward along the roller guard arm in response to the force applied to the roller arrangement by the retained cable portions as the bow is drawn and released. This translation movement accommodates the applied rearward and/or forward force and substantially reduces or eliminates the bearing force of the cables against the rollers.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

1. An archery bow, comprising: an archery bow body defining opposing limb tips; a bowstring extending between said limb tips; at least one cable portion extending between said limb tips; a cable guard extending from said archery body bow body; a pair of pulleys rotationally mounted to said cable guard, wherein said pair of pulleys in combination encircle at least 360 degrees of the circumference of said at least one cable.
 2. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein said pulleys each encircle at least 180 degrees of the circumference of said at least one cable portion.
 3. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein said pulleys engage said at least one cable at a pair of positions vertically offset from each other along the length of said at least one cable portion.
 4. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein said pulleys each define a groove having an inner groove radius and a pair of sidewalls, wherein said at least one cable portion concurrently contacts the inner groove radius of each of said pulleys.
 5. The archery bow of claim 1, comprising two cable portions extending between said limb tips and two pairs of pulleys rotationally mounted to said cable guard, wherein each of said cable portions is engaged by two pulleys which in combination encircle at least 360 degrees of the circumference of said cable portions.
 6. The archery bow of claim 1, comprising two cable portions extending between said limb tips and two pairs of pulleys rotationally mounted to said cable guard, wherein two of said pulleys are mounted to said cable guard at positions which offset horizontally and vertically relative to the other two of said pulleys.
 7. The archery bow of claim 1, comprising two cable portions extending between said limb tips and two pairs of pulleys rotationally mounted to said cable guard, wherein each of said cable portions defines a brace angle measured in the brace position between the portions extending towards the opposing limb tips from a cable bend point where the cable portion engages a forwardly placed pulley, and said cable portions each define a drawn angle measured between the portions extending towards the respective limb tips from the cable bend point in the drawn position, and wherein the drawn angle is larger than the brace angle.
 8. An archery bow, comprising: an archery bow body defining opposing limb tips having rotational elements; a bowstring extending between said limb tips; at least one cable portion extending between said limb tips; a cable guard extending from said archery body bow body; a pair of pulleys rotationally mounted to said cable guard, wherein said pair of pulleys retain said at least one cable between them and are vertically offset from each other.
 9. The archery bow of claim 8, wherein said bow defines a brace position and a drawn position, wherein said at least one cable portion applies force to one of said pair of pulleys in said brace position and wherein movement of the limb tips and rotation of said rotational elements causes the cable portion to transfer the majority of the force to the other of said pair of pulleys as said bow is moved to said drawn position.
 10. The archery bow of claim 8, comprising two cable portions extending between said limb tips and two pairs of pulleys rotationally mounted to said cable guard, wherein each pair of pulleys retain said at least one cable portion between them and wherein one pulley of each pair of pulleys is vertically offset from the other.
 11. An archery bow, comprising: an archery bow body defining opposing limb tips; a bowstring extending between said limb tips; at least one cable portion extending between said limb tips; a cable guard extending from said archery body bow body; a pair of pulleys rotationally mounted to said cable guard and retaining said at least one cable between them, wherein each pulley defines an outer radius, and wherein said pair of pulleys are mounted horizontally offset from each other by a distance less than the sum of their respective outer radii.
 12. The archery bow of claim 11, wherein said pair of pulleys each define a groove having an inner groove radius and a pair of sidewalls, wherein said at least one cable portion concurrently contacts the inner groove radius of each of said pulleys.
 13. A cable guard for an archery body, comprising: a. a cable guard arm having a forward end mountable to the riser of an archery bow and an opposing rearward end; b. a pair of forward pulleys mounted along the length of said cable guard arm; c. a pair of rearward pulleys spatially separated from said pair of forward pulleys, wherein said rearward pulleys are mounted to said cable guard arm rearward of said forward pulleys and vertically offset from said forward pulleys.
 14. The cable guard of claim 13, wherein said rearward pulleys are mounted to said cable guard arm vertically offset upward from said forward pulleys.
 15. The cable guard of claim 13, wherein said rearward pulleys are mounted to said cable guard arm vertically offset downward from said forward pulleys.
 16. The cable guard of claim 13, wherein said forward pair of pulleys define an outer radius, wherein said rearward pair of pulleys define an outer radius and wherein said pair of rearward pulleys are mounted rearward of said forward pulley by a distance less than the sum of their outer radii.
 17. The cable guard of claim 13, wherein said cable guard arm defines a bend area between the forward end and the rearward end.
 18. The cable guard of claim 17, wherein said bend area has an “S” profile.
 19. The cable guard of claim 18, wherein said rearward end is bent towards the plane in which the bowstring travels when drawn and released, placing said rearward pair of pulleys closer to the plane than said forward pair of pulleys. 